My Visit to Hudson Community Chapel
Hudson Community Chapel was the last church I had attended since before I joined Xenos. It was pretty much how I remembered things. The feeling there was kind of pretentious, I’m not sure if that’s just me, or Hudson, or the church, or all the above. Some of the things there that struck me were how people were dressed very nicely. Most of the people attending were parents of younger children (about ages 3-15) I didn’t see very many college age kids, however I was seated in the main service room, not the “more upbeat younger crowd” room. It was very, ugh, gross. I guess it just reminds me of why I never really decided to accept Christ back in the day. Also, it seemed like 99% of the people that attended left in 5mins without hanging out to talk. It was a mad rush to the door… Not very relational.
So I know I’m being critical to start off, but I do have some very good things to say too. As much as I failed to understand how a place like that could breed any revolutionaries, the teaching there was awesome, and the pretentious crowd there that I mentioned was very kind (I shouldn’t be too harsh anyways I’ve got some awesome non-pretentious neighbors who go there). The teacher when I attended was Joe Coffee, a friend of my dad. I thought his teaching rocked! That was some really cool revolutionary-esq stuff. One of the things that really got me excited was when he described the crucifixion of Jesus. He mentioned that while he was being whipped, and spit on, and cursed, his last dying breath he said
Luke 23:34 (New International Version)
34… "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."…
I’m thinking of a few more crass things I’d be saying while dying a painstaking and humiliating death like that… Talk about some real strength of character. To take pity on such people!? Those who curse you and condemn you to a death like that? Especially being Jesus, with all his power, I’d snap my fingers and have God skin them alive. He didn’t even have to die like that, but he knew what he was supposed to do, and he did the right thing. Just awesome… Not a moment of hate. I can only pray that one day I can live to forgive and take pity on my enemies like he did. I tend to be chill most the time, but oh man do I have a mean streak. I need to learn to love and let God help me out, not focus on vendettas and anger.
Anyways, I’d say overall Hudson Community Chapel is doing a pretty decent job at preaching the word, but I give them an “F” when it comes to reaching non-Christians. Perhaps there is something I’m missing though. It just doesn’t seem like there is any emphasis on outreaching to non-Christians. I am biased though, this is the last church I went to before I decided it was a waste of time lol! Sorry guys… I call it like I see it. I am going to revisit sometime and see what the other upbeat section is about, see if there is a new element to this place that I just didn’t see yet. It’s very possible, in which case I’ll either write a new article, or revise this one.
Summing it up
Negatives:
- Mornings
- The sweater-vest BMW type crowd
- Singing
- More singing
- Cordial handshake stuff
- Weak sauce Outreach
- Little kids
- Steeple
- Secondary steeple too incase God didn’t see the first massive one
Positives:
- Awesome teaching
- Nice people
- Free coffee
- Fun building
- Good smoothies
- Cool little patio thing to smoke on
Neutral:
- I guess if I had a BMW and some kids I’d go here.
- Had to pay $3 for a 16oz smoothie
- Lots of parking
- Cool staff
Overall grade: C
Comments(5)
Why did you visit a church you’ve already been to?
My inlaws attend HCC and we occasionally go. I agree – the teaching usually is pretty good. If I was a single Xian single looking to meet up with a pretty Xian chickadee, I’d go to HCC every week!
This is a great review, Matt. Thanks for posting it. I’m going to use it as an example in my Ecclesiology class, OK?
Very nice review. I have attended many other churches while I have been away at school and I often feel as though I just focus on all the negatives and even make the positives into negatives. You have done a great job keeping it all in balance!
That steeple bit is hysterical! And the sweater-vest thing!
About the BMWs–we noticed the same phenonemon at Riverwood. We were driving in as the last service was leaving and were wondering, what’s up with all these Lexuses and beemers? We should’ve driven our 1990 Dodge Shadow! Maybe they would’ve given us some of the free clothes they were collecting for charity.
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